Kwinana: former teacher helping others deal better with stress

KWINANA resident Simon Miskin is a former teacher who struggled with stress.

He has developed systems to manage stress more effectively and wants to help others.

As a stress management consultant he has worked with teachers who have reached breaking point and listened to children calling out for help not knowing where to turn when coping with exam pressure and life as a teenager.

Mr Miskin is speaking out to address the stress levels of both teachers and kids in schools as well as the rising anxiety among parents, over how to help their child cope with today’s demands.

After decades working in teaching, training and pastoral care roles both in Australia and the UK, Mr Miskin is encouraging school communities to add stress management to their curriculum.

“Simple knowledge and awareness can reduce and prevent many of the negative impacts of stress,” Mr Miskin said.

“If you improve a teacher’s self esteem, confidence and reduce their stress levels, you improve that teacher’s ability to reach out and effectively communicate with the children in their care.

“I know how hard it can be to teach while trying to care for your own health and wellbeing so I help teachers, parents and students, to transform their lives by showing them how to manage stress with simple, effective strategies.”

Mr Miskin wants to make his Teach and Thrive program available in high schools. The program offers stress management techniques and coping strategies, as well as individual and group sessions for teachers, parents and students.